THE WORLD'S MOST LUXURIOUS TRAIN

A Perfect Blend Of Period Ambience & Modern Features

The rebuilt sleeper coaches of Rovos Rail contain the most spacious train suites in the world, offering every modern convenience and comfort. The epitome of luxury with handsome wood panelling and period Edwardian features, the air-conditioned suites accommodate two people offering the option of twin or spacious double beds.

Each one of these carriages, from kitchen cars to sleeper coaches and guards vans, has its own story. A few dating back to 1911 were constructed in Europe and shipped to South Africa in the first half of the 20 th century. Some carriages have carried royalty, while others have ended up serving as restaurants or lying derelict and forgotten on sidings for decades. All are now cherished members of the Rovos Rail fleet of 60 carriages.

The Royal Suites, each of which takes up half a carriage, are named after colourful characters of the Victorian era in South Africa, including Cecil John Rhodes, Barney Barnato and Alfred Beit. Spacious and elegant,the Royal Suites measure 16 sq metres in size (172 sq ft). Each one has its own private lounge area and full bathroom with Victorian bath and separate shower. The Deluxe Suites (11 sq metres/118sq feet,) restored with the same care as the Royals suites also accommodate two passengers in either twin or double beds and have a lounge area and an en suite bathroom and shower.

The Suites offer guests the space to relax in privacy and the opportunity to travel in comfort and luxury, with fittings and facilities that are of the highest standard. All are equipped with a writing desk and, for valuables, a personal safe. There's also a bar fridge filled with the drinks of the passengers' choice and room service is available 24 hours a day. In the en-suite bathrooms, original fittings are combined with the modern technology of hot showers, hair dryers, heaters and shaver plugs. The train has an onboard water and sewerage system, so showers and toilets may be used at any time.

THE COACHES

A Superb Collection Of Rebuilt & Refurbished Coaches That Offer World-Class Comfort & Style

Rovos Rail operates two classic trains of 20 superbly restored coaches, half of which date back to the 1920s. Each train can accommodate up to 72 passengers in unrivalled spaciousness. A third 13-coach, 42-berth Edwardian train is available year round for charter. The coaches - which have been collected from the far corners of the country - have been painstakingly rebuilt and refurbished to offer discerning travellers the last word in comfort and style.

The use of traditional furnishings and period decor, with top-class craftsmanship evident in fine wood panelling, has ensured an atmosphere of elegance and grandeur. Each one of these carriages, from kitchen cars to sleeper coaches and guards vans, has its own story.

Each one has a proud history and has been meticulously restored from a derelict state. For example, No 195 Shangani, which was built in 1924, was found parked in a siding in Alberton and acquired by Rovos Rail in 1986. Three of the magnificent teak pillars had been removed and her severely dilapidated condition required 18 months of painstaking restoration.

The pillars were faithfully recreated, restoring the Victorian atmosphere. Shangani ran on the inaugural trip in April 1989. Each of the trains has two 42-seater dining cars to accommodate the maximum complement of 72 passengers in total comfort at one sitting. One of the dining cars is a refurbished Edwardian pillared dining car dating from the 1920s, while the other is a classic luxury dining car of 1936 vintage. The latter is a favourite venue for lunch and offers a superb view from the larger picture windows. Service is friendly and discreet. Each train has one or two lounge cars. Permission was sought and granted by South African Railways to run the Observation Cars at the back of the Trains, enabling enlargement of the windows and the construction of unique open-air balconies. These classic coaches are the perfect place to enjoy a leisurely drink or a cup of tea, get to know the friendly hostesses and fellow travellers and read up more about the route and the many fascinating attractions. The lounge car and onboard gift shop is in the centre of the train.

THE LOCOMOTIVES

There's A Story Behind All Of The Rovos Rail Locomotives, Their Acquisition And Restoration

Each one has a distinctive character and charm and all are named after members of owner Rohan Vos' family. The first engine acquired was No 2702 Bianca, a Class 19D locomotive built by Borsig in 1938. It was purchased in 1986 from Loewenthal's Scrap Metal. Dunn's Locomotive in Witbank was commissioned to return the 50-year old workhorse to running condition. The Rovos Rail staff then carried out cosmetic improvements, including a superb paint job, making Rovos Rail's first loco a beautiful sight. No 2701 'Brenda', a Class 19D locomotive with coincidentally a number just one digit away from Bianca, was bought from Chick's Scrap Metal while staged at Volksrust in Natal and restored at the workshops in Witbank.

Rovos Rail has five working locomotives at Capital Park in Pretoria. 439 TIFFANY is one of 40 Class 6 locomotives manufactured by Dubs & Co in 1893. Rohan and Anthea Vos saw this petite loco on the platform of Winburg Station in the Eastern Freestate and it was love at first sight. The loco was purchased in 1987 and Dunns Locomotive in Witbank was commissioned to return the 6 Class to running condition. She is named after their youngest daughter.

2701 BRENDA, 2702 BIANCA and 3360 SHAUN are named after Rohan and Anthea's other three children. They are Class 19D Locomotives, which were all built during the 1930's. All three locos were saved from scrap metal dealers and after extensive restoration by Dunns Locomotive and the Rovos staff, were put back into service in 1989.

The latest addition to Rovos Rail is a Class 25 NC locomotive that has been converted from a coal burner to an oil-fired engine. It completed an 18-month overhaul and refurbishment, which brought a gleam to every bit of brass and a glow to the faces of the team of people who had painstakingly restored her to her prime.

A highlight of the official opening of the new Capital Park Station on the 7th of May 1999 was the christening ceremony performed by Rohan's mother, Mrs Marjorie Vos, as she cracked a bottle of champagne across the bows of Class 25NC No 3484.

Use of steam has become increasingly difficult over the past years, as more and more water and coaling facilities have been scrapped. Wherever practical the trains may be drawn by any one of the five vintage steam locomotives. Where facilities no longer exist, diesel or electric locomotives will be used. Rovos Rail will, however, endeavour to ensure that arrivals and departures in Pretoria are steam hauled.

CUISINE & SERVICE

The Superb Cuisine Served Aboard The Pride Of Africa Is Simple & Elegant

When you are catering for a full complement of 72 guests within the limited space of a train kitchen car, achieving a standard that rivals that of a top-class restaurant is a serious challenge. An enthusiastic team of chefs is responsible for overseeing the very important task of ensuring guests every need is catered for, while considerable thought and meticulous planning goes into making up the menus. Unlike many of the great trains of the world, travellers are on board the trains for several days at a time, requiring a much wider selection of meals.

There's an accent on fresh local ingredients, and traditional dishes such as game are a specialty. Every morning there's a full breakfast with dishes cooked to order. A selection of cold meats, croissants, pastries, fresh fruit, yoghurts, cereals and preserves make up a tempting breakfast buffet. For lunch and dinner there is a starter and a choice of fish, meat or vegetarian dishes, followed by a tempting dessert and are complemented by a selection of excellent South African wines.

All meals are served in one sitting only in the charming Victorian atmosphere of the Dining Cars. Exquisite pillared dining cars are a signature of the Rovos Rail trains. Each one has a proud history and has been meticulously restored from a derelict state. Pictured above is No 195, Shangani, which was built in 1924 and was found parked in a siding in Alberton near Johannesburg before its acquisition by Rohan Vos in 1986. Three of the magnificent teak pillars had been removed and these were faithfully crafted, restoring the Victoria atmosphere.

Many of the passengers aboard the Pride of Africa enjoy the formality of fine china, crisp linen and silver, and dress accordingly. During the day dress is more casual, with cool, comfortable clothes and hats recommended for the excursions, especially in the game reserves where it can be very hot.

The Observation Car seats 32 passengers and is positioned at the rear of the train. At the centre of the train we have, when numbers dictate, a non-smoking Lounge Car, which seats 26 passengers in comfort. In maintaining the spirit of travel of a bygone era, there are no radios or television sets onboard.